Multi-rig racing

Hi 'Stretch'

We have pasted CA (and our) policy from earlier in this thread below again as a reminder.  Other classes/makers will have their own approaches and from those I've read all have been very clear so far. 

Mike L.     

The Blaze family has three sails of different sizes that can ALL be used on the same set of standard spars.  Fire (8.8m), Blaze (10.4m) and Halo (11.5m) are however raced as totally different classes even when they share meetings.  If you wish to 'mix' your use of them then you are racing in a different class and all that goes with that - easy to understand and clear.

The sails have the NAME on them boldly displayed so it is very obvious and we and the CA have been very clear on this issue since day 1 as well.     

The ‘alternatives’, 'Fire' and 'Halo' are selling well and this year the major Blaze opens will have a separate start for them.  Note the separate bit.

The Blaze Nationals at Hayling Island in early July will not be the Nationals for either of these sister classes ....

Apart from all that the CA is pretty relaxed about expanding the Blaze family.  Like many classes we have growing groups of both 'senior' and 'junior' helms and of course 'larger' helms.  Pleasingly 'Fire' is not only appealing to the light(er), young(er) and old(er) - its also beginning to attract and keep more female helms.

Another plus is that in the age of web forecasts that some argue is reducing those prepared to travel to events owners can easily bring along 2 sails now.   If you are light and it is blowing the proverbial dogs off chains on arrival you can drop a sail size and still enjoy a decent meeting.  Conversely if you are on the large size and it is disappointingly light you can switch from Blaze to Halo etc.  A lot of the time of course the forecast will be wrong anyway ...but you will be there and can make a decision on the spot.   This is not even diluting Blaze numbers however as more people are pitching up at meetings as a result anyway - and when we crunch the numbers later in the season it is looking likely to be more positive all round.

The alternatives ?  Own multiple classes or just stay at home, or sit on the shore  .... not as attractive surely to owners or to any inclusive leaning class.  We want more of the people to be attracted to and be suited to the boat in more conditions.  All you need is the sails, no need for additional poles, mast sections and so on.

Mike L.